When you left school the last thing you ever wanted to have to do again was explain the difference between an isosceles and an obtuse triangle or find the circumference of a circle. Unfortunately parents again find themselves faced with these issues when their child asks for help with homework.

School today

It is common for todays parent to feel that the schools our children attend are very different from their own all those years ago. Often we want our children to receive better opportunities and education while questioning today's school structures and lack of fun.

When they know more than you

If you have difficulty comprehending your child's mathematics homework think about how far the world has progressed since you left school. It is necessary for today's student to have a greater understanding of subjects such as Maths and Science due to advances in areas such as information processing and communications.

To succeed in tomorrow's world, students must understand algebra, geometry, statistics and probability. Business and industry demand workers who can solve real world problems, explain their thinking to others, identify and analyze trends from data and use modern technology. Instead of worksheets, your child may bring home problems to investigate that are related to real life, investigating salaries, life expectancy and fair decisions, for example. After all, the future is closer than it may appear.

Remember all is not lost. You may have forgotten a few things, but you are still much more experienced than your child at finding the information that you need. You can turn the occasion into a learning experience for both you and your child as you track down the answer together.

Your child's first teacher

Parents are a child's first teacher and are crucial to student success. The more adults become engaged in their children's education, the greater the chances that children will succeed.

If your child's homework assignment consists of learning to play the scales on his French horn, don't worry that you have never picked up the instrument in your life. In this case, and in others, you won't be able to impart the correct knowledge to him at a moment's notice. But regardless of the subject matter, when your child asks you for help on his or her homework, you can always be supportive, caring and kind when answering. If you don't know the answer and the two of you search and can't find the answer, don't get frustrated and upset. Keep in mind there's a larger issue at stake, which is the relationship between you and your child.

Here are some tips for parents regarding maths and studying in general:

• Regardless of your own experience with school, you can encourage your child to develop a love of learning through supporting their performance, helping with school projects and discussing their homework
• Keep yourself appraised of the specific academic standards that children are required to meet at each grade level
• Make it fun. Spend time with kids on simple board games, puzzles and activities that encourage better attitudes and stronger skills. Even everyday activities such as playing with toys in a sandbox or in a tub at bath time can teach children mathematical concepts like weight, density and volume.
• The kitchen is filled with tasty opportunities to teach fractional measurements, like doubling and dividing cookie recipes.
• Point out ways that people use math every day to pay bills, balance their cheque bookand figure out their net earnings. Involve older children in projects that incorporate geometric and algebraic concepts like planting a garden, building a bookshelf or figuring how long it will take to drive to your family holiday destination.
• Let kids know what vocations require a sound base in mathematics. Careers in carpentry, landscaping, medicine, pharmacy, aeronautics and meteorology all require strong math skills.
• Encourage your child to use computers and the Internet at home, your local library and after-school programs for tasks like developing charts, graphs, maps and spreadsheets.
• Always try to provide assistance, but let them figure it out themselves. Problem solving is a lifetime skill.

Just remember, mutual caring and respect between you and your children will always be more important than any homework fact or figure.